At Carolina Awning & Tent Company, we have been serving areas in North Carolina such as Rocky Mount, Greenville, and the Outer Banks since 1925. We are an in-house fabricator of custom awnings and canopies, and we can help make your storefront dreams a reality. We create, install, and service our signs, awnings, and canopies for years to come.

Because of the last year in the pandemic, small businesses are struggling now more than ever. Plus, the rise of internet shopping makes it even more difficult on hard-working small business owners. How can you boost your curb appeal? 8.4% of consumers find out about stores by walking in. Increasing the curb appeal of your retail business is one way to grow this percentage. In just the same way that an online user wouldn’t want to buy from a hard-to-navigate, ugly website, local customers won’t want to enter your physical store unless it feels friendly and is easy-to-find. Do some visual merchandising: put your most attractive (likely to be purchased) items on display.

At minimum, here are a few tips:

  • Has adequate signage that makes it easy to find
  • Has windows displays that clearly show what you sell
  • Is well-lit, and looks open
  • Is clean outside. Take responsibility for nearby trashcans and sidewalks!

A few more helpful tips on improving curb appeal from Microsoft:

  • Signage. The sign on your storefront is a fundamental aspect of business curb appeal. It has to be visible and identifiable even from a long distance. Is yours too small or illegible? Make it larger, more legible and more aligned in style with other marketing materials
  • Storefront upkeep. Your storefront is an extension of your brand. So, be sure to clean windows, doors, and building siding. Do touch-ups of fading paint jobs while you’re at it. 
  • Window displays. Eye-catching window displays aren’t only beneficial during the holidays. They can tempt passersby year-round and convert window shoppers into paid customers — stock yours with neatly arranged products. Or, coax customers to enter with sale signs. You could even include a colorful poster detailing a new contest. 
  • Sidewalk displays. These displays allow passersby a chance to interact with or sample your products. For example, you could have a staff member stand outside and hand out samples. Or, if workable, you could set up a demonstration of a product. 
  • Parking. Have a dedicated parking lot for your business? Repair damaged pavement. Also, ensure that parking lot striping is visible and clear. Will your customers be parking on the street? Include a sign outside the store about nearby parking options. The less effort it takes to enter your store, the better. 
  • Landscape. If you have a visible lawn at the premises, keep it trim and tidy. Next, take care to patch or reseed any bare spots to ensure a green, vibrant look. Consider planting flowers for added color or trees for shade if you have the lawn space. 
  • Walkways. Don’t forget about the walkway to the entrance. Fix the pavement, if cracked. Make sure that any steps at the front of the building are sturdy and safe for customers. And sweep the walkways of debris and trash. Place trash cans outside the building to prevent litter from ending up on your walkways. 

Let us help you boost the curb appeal of your business! At Carolina Awning and Tent Company, we can personalize your signs. Contact us today for all your awning, sign, and tarp needs!